[Translator - Helga ]
[Proofreader - Starfall ]
Chapter 187: The Avenger (2)
At that moment, Kwon Hanul saw it.
The maddened, burning desire in Bae Cheol-min’s eyes.
“With the Hyukcheon Corps and Commander Gu Eon right next to us, you dare say something like that?”
Kwon Hanul could only click his tongue in disbelief.
“Are you insane? Or are you just not thinking at all?”
“There’s a saying—darkness gathers under the lamp. The Hyukcheon Corps and Commander Gu Eon are preoccupied dealing with Director Kwon Myung-woo. They won’t hear our conversation.”
He was right. Even when Hanul reached out with his senses, no one inside seemed to be paying attention to them.
“Work long enough in places like the Iron Corps, and you pick up a few tricks.”
Bae Cheol-min grinned, revealing his teeth.
“So please, answer me without worry.”
He couldn’t even wait. Bae Cheol-min pressed Hanul for a response.
“Lord Kwon Seonwoo of the Hyukcheon clan drove your innocent parents to their deaths. That sin still festers within Hyukcheon.”
His clenched fists trembled as he continued, voice shaking.
“I’ve been waiting for someone like you. Someone who shares my conviction and can walk into the very heart of Hyukcheon without resistance...!”
Bae Cheol-min grabbed Hanul’s hand tightly, his grip full of force.
“Join me in avenging ourselves against Kwon Seonwoo. Let’s resolve our grievances together...!”
“I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear that.”
Hanul pulled his hand away as he spoke.
In that instant, the light vanished from Bae Cheol-min’s eyes—as if his soul had just left his body.
“I have no intention of seeking revenge. And don’t worry—I won’t report this to Commander Gu Eon. Just leave.”
“Hanul... You know the truth, don’t you? Kwon Seonwoo pushed your parents to their deaths!”
During his rebirth procedure, Hanul had glimpsed the past.
It wasn’t Kwon Seonwoo who ultimately caused his father’s death—it was Kwon Hyuk.
Of course, that didn’t mean Kwon Seonwoo bore no responsibility. But Hanul had never once seen him as a target for revenge.
“My father never held the Chairman in resentment.”
Even in the moment he died at Kwon Hyuk’s hands, his father hadn’t blamed Kwon Seonwoo. He had worried for him instead.
“What kind of... How can you know what a dead man truly felt?”
“My father was that kind of person.”
Hanul couldn't reveal that he had seen the past, so he answered simply.
“Bae Cheol-min, I will become the head of Hyukcheon. And I’ll restore my father’s honor.”
Kwon Cheon had been a man good to a fault.
But it would be a lie to say he had no mistakes.
To protect his wife and child, he had involved the Bae-s of Healthy Bloodline.
“I promise you. On the day I become Hyukcheon’s patriarch, I’ll reinstate the Bae Clan and offer a formal apology.”
Bae Cheol-min fell silent. Then, grinding his teeth, he muttered, “...Bullshit.”
With his jaw clenched tight, he spat again.
“Kwon Cheon didn’t resent Kwon Seonwoo? You’ll restore your parents’ honor as the next patriarch? You’ll apologize to our family?”
Every word he spoke trembled with rage.
“Cut the crap. You’ve just been blinded by the glory Hyukcheon offers. You’ve thrown your own parents aside like trash!”
His glare was filled with murderous intent as he shouted.
“My older brother stood for justice and was brutally murdered for it! Our entire clan became outcasts—treated like scum and cast into hell!”
The fury didn’t end there. Decades of resentment, rot, and pain burst forth like a dam breaking.
“Children of the Bae clan are forced into dungeons before they even come of age! To complete the dirty jobs Hyukcheon gives them, they crawl through hell itself! And yet... and yet!”
The killing intent radiating from Bae Cheol-min intensified.
“You—child of the man who ruined our clan—owe us a debt! And you dare talk to me like that?!”
He unleashed his mana. A massive surge of murderous energy roared forth.
At that moment, Hanul couldn’t help but be shocked.
When he had first met Bae Cheol-min, Hanul hadn’t truly grasped his strength. He’d just vaguely sensed he was powerful.
But now that Hanul himself had grown stronger, he could gauge the man’s might.
At least on par with Odin—perhaps even stronger.
Bae Cheol-min charged, roaring. His hand stretched out to grab Hanul by the throat.
A deep, gravelly voice cut in.
Black markings appeared around Bae Cheol-min’s neck.
The characters radiated terrifying magic as they dug into his flesh.
Screaming, Bae Cheol-min fell to the ground, clawing at his neck.
But no matter how much he scratched, the markings remained intact.
Hanul turned, startled.
Standing at the terrace door—was Gu Eon.
Gu Eon clicked his tongue in disgust.
“I was wondering what all the noise outside was about... You’ve overstepped, haven’t you.”
He placed a foot on Bae Cheol-min’s head.
“Looks like my negligence in garbage disposal almost caused you trouble.”
Gu Eon spoke with polite formality—while pressing down with his foot.
“As an apology, I’ll dispose of this trash right here before your eyes.”
Bae Cheol-min’s face twisted in pain.
Not just from the strangling, but also the crushing weight of Gu Eon’s foot.
Given the way he acted and the killing intent he radiated, Gu Eon clearly intended to kill him then and there.
Hanul hesitated for a moment, then made a decision and spoke.
“I believe there’s been a misunderstanding.”
Hanul finally opened his mouth.
“This man hasn’t done anything inappropriate. In fact, I was the one bothering him.”
Bae Cheol-min frowned, confused—his expression asking, ‘What are you talking about?’
“I was just too curious about how one fights using vitality points. So I asked for his instruction. He merely obliged my request.”
“You expect me to believe that?”
Gu Eon responded with disbelief. Hanul just shrugged.
“I’m only telling the truth.”
Gu Eon looked between Hanul and Bae Cheol-min, then slowly lifted his foot off the man’s head.
Bae Cheol-min quickly got up, gasping, and stumbled away.
“That was foolish of you. Showing mercy to trash like him.”
Suddenly, Gu Eon stepped closer—now face-to-face with Hanul.
“But something’s strange. That guy’s one of the smarter rats among the garbage. So why would he lose control even knowing I was nearby?”
A glint of suspicion crossed Gu Eon’s eyes.
“What exactly were you two talking about?”
“It was personal. I’d rather not say.”
Gu Eon stared at Hanul for a while, then turned away.
“Remember—I always have my eyes on you...”
“You’re acting up again, aren’t you?”
Kwon Myung-woo was now peering out onto the terrace.
“Hey, didn’t I tell you to stop the Iron Corps guy from doing anything weird? Not to pick fights with Hanul?”
“D-Director! This wasn’t a fight—it was a proper interrogation, as the commanding officer of Iron Corps...”
Kwon Myung-woo raised a hand, and Gu Eon immediately shut his mouth.
“Interrogation? What a load of crap! Do you really think Hanul’s some kind of threat to the clan? Nonsense!” He bellowed. Gu Eon couldn’t utter a word under the tirade.
Watching it all unfold, Hanul could only admire it.
‘So this is the power of authority.’
Gu Eon, who had been so aggressive, stood there taking it silently. It was a sight worth admiring.
“Anyway, just wait till we get back. I’ll be reteaching your discipline from the ground up...”
Suddenly, Kwon Myung-woo looked up at the sky. His eyes narrowed.
“What the hell is that guy doing here again?”
Hanul looked up as well. But the sky was perfectly clear—not a single cloud.
A bolt of lightning suddenly streaked across the sky.
Despite the midday sun blazing above, the lightning held its presence with overwhelming force.
“What the...?” Hanul muttered, and in the next instant, the lightning struck the terrace—exploding in a burst of blinding light.
From the spot where lightning had landed, two figures rose.
A white-haired old man. A beautiful blonde woman with blue eyes. They looked directly at Hanul and Myung-woo.
“Long-distance travel really wears you down when you’re old.”
The old man patted his back. The woman beside him did the same with her tiny fist.
Hanul stared at them, tense. They’d just crossed such a great distance instantly—without even looking tired.
A sign of overwhelming strength.
“Kwon Biryuk... You still have that smug face, huh?” Kwon Myung-woo muttered the name. Hanul felt as if he’d been struck in the back of the head.
Kwon Biryuk—Fist of Thunder.
One of the few absolute beings in the world.
The famous rival of Hyukcheon’s strongest, Kwon Myung-woo.
“What are you doing here?”
“You’re still so cold, even to an old friend.”
“Friend? Still making lame jokes, I see.”
The two men sneered at each other.
“I came to this city looking for the Mei clan’s ‘Secret Vault’ and sensed your energy, so I figured I’d drop by.”
“‘Secret Vault’? Have you gone senile? You really got baited by that ridiculous rumor?”
“You’re here too, aren’t you?”
“My reasons are different! I’m here on orders from the clan!”
“Come now, Myung-woo. How pathetic.”
That made Myung-woo’s forehead veins bulge.
“What did you just say? Pathetic?”
“You’re after the ‘Secret Vault’ too. Just admit it.”
“You crazy old bastard!”
“I'm not going to pry. I know you're too ashamed to say it. But next time, try not to act so pitiful.”
Myung-woo clutched the back of his neck, fuming.
Kwon Biryuk turned his gaze toward Hanul.
“So, you’re the one they call Kwon Hanul.”
The moment their eyes met, Hanul felt as though he were falling into an endless abyss.
That was how vast the old man’s power was—immeasurable.
Beyond anything Hanul could fathom.
“I’ve heard the stories. You’ve accomplished remarkable feats for someone so young. Even beat a Pandemonium Councilor, didn’t you?”
“The rumors are exaggerated,” Hanul replied calmly. Kwon Biryuk smiled at his composure.
“Such humility. Doesn’t feel like a Hyukcheon member. That Myung-woo guy wouldn’t shut up about beating a Representative when he was your age.”
“You damn lunatic! Don’t make things up!”
Kwon Myung-woo protested, but Kwon Biryuk didn’t even look at him.
He kept his gaze on Hanul.
“So tell me—how did it feel to kill my disciple?”
[Translator - Helga ]
[Proofreader - Starfall ]